SpringRidge at Charbonneau By KERRY PHILLIPS
Veteran shares career as key to being a “ super-ager ” Editor ’ s note : November ’ s column did not make the Villager . This month , the SpringRidge column will honor a local veteran and discuss the spirit of giving .
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COURTESY PHOTO
Dick Johnson served 20 years in the armed forces .
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From Alaska to the moon
Twenty-one-year-old Dick Johnson felt a compelling call to serve his nation . The Attack on Pearl Harbor had occurred the day before on Dec . 7 , 1941 , and he and a friend made their way to their local recruiting office , eager to enlist and defend the United States . What followed was a fascinating career that took him from China to Europe , and even a role in the first man walking on the moon .
“ After high school , I went to work for a company making window displays for department stores ,” explained Dick , a resident of Spring- Ridge at Charbonneau . “ I was 21 years old when I walked into the local Army recruiting office . I never imagined that fateful day would lead to serving 20 years in the armed forces .”
By his 23rd birthday in January , Dick was already on his first operational assignment in Alaska . He and his fellow recruits were responsible for surveying and mapping designated
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areas . He said one of the most challenging parts of the assignment was the unbelievable cold .
Six months later , he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and relocated to China , where he continued his work in mapping , which played an important role in the planning and execution of military operations during World War II .
Originally from Maine , the centenarian was deployed to Europe , serving as an intelligence officer in the Air Force , which had been established in 1947 . He held the position for three years , and his career took him to numerous countries , including Germany and England . It was in London where he experienced a highlight of his military career .
“ I was serving as a captain towards the end of the Berlin Airlift period ,” he said . “ I was standing in line
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in the U . S . Embassy ’ s dining room when my boss called me over . He said , ‘ I ’ d like you to meet Colonel Lindbergh .’ Charles A . Lindbergh was a very important person in the world . He was the Neil Armstrong of that time . It was such an honor to meet him and shake his hand .”
Following graduation from the Air Force Institute of Technology , Dick was assigned to Wright Air Development Center , where he was responsible for research and development contracts in support of Center Laboratories . Soon , Dick would have his own involvement with flight and space . After retiring from the military , he was recruited for a position with North American Aviation in Southern California . His positions were in sub-contract management and system engineering . His first task was to negotiate the subcontract to design and build the launch escape system for the Apollo .
“ President John F . Kennedy announced his goal of putting a man on the moon in 10 years ,” said Dick . “ We worked really hard to beat that . I remember leaving home at about 6 a . m . and not returning until 7 or 8 p . m . This was seven days a week . It was a high-pressure job but very meaningful .”
In addition to being able to pinpoint some of his contributions to the Apollo Program in photos , Dick is most proud of a letter he received in 1965 . It was signed by 28 astronauts , including Neil Armstrong , the first person to walk on the moon ; Alan Shepard , Jr ., the first American to travel in space ; and James Lovell , Jr ., one of the first three humans to fly to and orbit the moon . The letter acknowledged
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Dick ’ s pledge and dedication to the success of the spacecraft program .
Dick spent 16 years with North American Aviation in various capacities before retiring . Upon his second retirement , he joined Oregon State University as a college business manager , spending seven years with that institution of higher learning .
Today , he ’ s traded in the hustle and bustle of his demanding careers for a more relaxed lifestyle at Spring- Ridge at Charbonneau , the active retirement community he ’ s called home for the past nine years .
“ I spend my day as I wish now ,” said Dick . “ For example , I ’ ve continued to work on my genealogy and have discovered some very amazing family history . I learned an ancestor and a friend captured a small British warship with a pitchfork and a hammer during the beginning of the Revolutionary War . They sailed the boat into the Portland Harbor in Maine and were financially rewarded . My ancestor used the money to buy a piece of land in Gray , Maine and built a house and barn . It ’ s still there to this day ! My son and I visited about 10 years ago and took a tour of the buildings .”
Dick , who will be 101 in January , lives a very independent life and enjoys the peace of mind knowing assistance and care is available at Spring- Ridge should his needs change over time . He jokes that his longevity cannot be contributed to “ clean living .”
Perhaps , it ’ s been his outlook on life that plays a role in being a “ super-ager .”
See SPRINGRIDGE / Page 17
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